MACC officials nab federal agency director
He may have transferred out some of his wealth
PETALING JAYA: The director of a federal agency and two contractors were picked up in the latest antigraft swoop that involved key figures.
The 59yearold director, based in Labuan, was detained at the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya at about 11.50am yesterday.
A total of 12 bank accounts with cash amounting to RM889,000 belonging to him and several family members have been frozen – so far.
It is learnt the director could have got wind of his imminent arrest and transferred out some of the illgotten wealth.
A source said the MACC was now tracking down the “missing” cash – said to run into millions of ringgit – besides assets and properties amassed from questionable deals.
“Checks showed the suspect abused his position over the past two years by awarding contracts worth millions under his purview.
“We believe he has approved a number of contracts to certain contractors in exchange for kickbacks and to finance his lavish lifestyle,” the source told The Star.
Apparently, the MACC wanted to arrest the director in Labuan but the latter travelled to his house in Bangi.
After being summoned to Putrajaya for questioning, the director was detained. The contractors, in their 40s, were picked up at about 6.30pm. The duo from the same company were called in for questioning at the Labuan MACC office.
The director was scheduled to be flown back to Labuan last night.
The MACC is expected to apply for a remand order for all three at the Labuan magistrate’s court today.
MACC deputy chief commissoner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the arrests but declined to elaborate.
The case will be investigated under the MACC Act and AntiMoney Laundering and CounterTerrorism Financing Act.
Last week, a 50yearold director of a governmentlinked company, who is a Datuk, was detained in Shah Alam for alleged abuse of power and corruption.
The MACC also picked up his younger brother and a managing director of a company, and froze bank accounts with RM40.1mil.